(A/n: Please enjoy)

Chapter 9: Distress In The Rain

Upon entering his shared bedroom, Stan comes to find out that Gary isn't here yet. Neither is Tweek since he's still in the infirmary. Stan closes the door halfway, barely minimizing the volume of the voices in the hallways and ambles over to the lone bed that he claimed on the right side of the bedroom, setting his black binder down on top of the nightstand. He starts taking off his uniform blazer and tie, discarding them near the end of his bed. With a sigh, he plops down on the edge of the mattress, glad that all four classes are finally over and he can now relax.

Is what he would like to do.

Leaning back propping his hands behind him to keep him upright, he looks up at the ceiling. For some unknown reason, he suddenly acquires the feeling that something is amiss. It's strange really, he hasn't a single inkling as to what could be the cause of this sense of foreboding. But he knows for sure it's nothing good. This is a vampire academy after all, what good could even happen here? Managing to survive throughout the whole term? Surviving until they graduate? Such questions make Stan wonder how this facility operates, surely not the same as human academies. He can't see that being the case.

He sighs again, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "We just got here, and somebody already got bitten. Can't even imagine how we'll manage a week, let alone another day in this place." He feels so bad for Tweek, he really hopes no one else ends up in his position, not now or ever. Especially himself.

After about ten minutes of trying to discern the gradually increasing odd feeling, soft knocks at the door startles Stan out of his musing. He stands from his bed, turning to see the door slowly being pushed forward. He narrows his eyes suspecting that a vampire is sneaking in. His body tensing up at the thought, he scans around for something to defend himself with.

Just when he decides to use his binder and makes a reach for it, a nonthreatening voice speaks.

"H-hello? Stan? Tweek?" The door opens all of the way for Stan to get a full view of the intruder.

Standing in the doorway is no vampire, and neither is one inside the bedroom, much to both Stan's and Gary's relief; the teen's blonde hair and uniform a bit disheveled. Retracting his arm and instead using his hand to wipe away the emerging sweat near his brow, Stan releases a breath he'd been holding in, exhaling the tension from his body. Gary walks in shutting the door behind him, heading towards his own bed.

"What the heck happened to you?" Stan asks raising an eyebrow at the other's faintly messy appearance.

Gary sighs, setting his light blue notebook on the nightstand. He starts unbuttoning the rest of the buttons on his blazer that weren't crudely undone. "Nothing much. Got lost, ended up knocking on about five doors along this hall and one of them opened theirs just to feast on me, but thankfully a teacher was around to stop them." Shrugging his jacket off, he lays it on his bed so he can fold it. "I asked him where my room was, but all he told me was how would he know so I had to knock on a few more doors until I found this one."

"...Nothing much my ass," Stan scoffs humorously, but he can totally understand how one can get lost in this building since it's pretty big and they don't have any signs indicating which room is what. Luckily, he was able to find their bedroom without too much hassle. "Where was your classroom?"

Finished neatly creasing his blazer, Gary takes a moment to think over Stan's query, then shrugs. "I dunno, it's somewhere on the other floor."

Then it becomes silent between them. After a few seconds, Gary voices out a question of his own. "Where's Tweek?"

Stan presses his lips into a line, his grim facial expression is enough for Gary to perceive that something concerning happened to the other blonde. "He's in the infirmary, his neck started bleeding in second period."

Gary frowns sympathetically. "I see. Wanna go visit him, if you haven't already?" He offers.

"Sure, let's go." Stan heads to and opens the door with Gary trailing behind him.

Once out in the hallway that contains one or two students, and a couple of teachers, Stan is immediately struck with unnerving pressure again. It's the very same one he was trying to distinguish in their bedroom. He tries to maintain his composure, strolling down the hall while trying to remember where the infirmary is located. Fortunately, the infirmary's door stands out from the other brown and black ones within this academy, which is a better indication than none.

Noticing Stan's rigid way of walking, Gary is about to ask him what's wrong when he realizes the cause himself, deciding not to question the obvious. They reach the infirmary a minute or two later, spotting a handwritten note stuck to the center of the closed door. It reads, 'No students or teachers allowed unless the injury is serious.' Both teens stare at the small yellow paper, dejected.

"Did Tweek lose a lot of blood?" Gary inquires, already becoming uneasy at the thought.

Stan shakes his head. "Just a little bit..." Something doesn't feel right, just what the hell did Kyle do? Surely, he must've did something to Tweek while he was bringing him here otherwise...-

Stan thinks back to what the note said, then the image of Tweek's neck comes to mind. "Oh no..." He pales, his sapphire eyes widening with immense dread and guilt. He gave a bleeding human to a vampire, the consequences of doing such a seemingly harmless act did not occur to him until this very moment. That must've been why Kyle sounded so inconsiderate when he volunteered, he didn't want to seem eager like the other vampires who craved Tweek's blood...Actually, Stan should've realized his mistake when Kenny was in a hurry to come here, he should've tagged along. "I-I fucked up..."

Two light knocks has him focusing on the door, then he looks at Gary, who's lowering a balled fist back to his side. Ten seconds pass until the door opens revealing a slightly peeved old man peeking through the thin opening, his expression changing, albeit faintly when he sees that it's two of the new students.

"I'm sorry but unless whatever injury you have is critical, I cannot allow in any patients at this time."

"Is it okay to see Tweek?" Gary asks.

The male nurse ponders his question for a moment, he sees no harm since they're humans as well as friends of his patient, they - along with six other students - brought the teen here last night. He opens the door wider for them to enter.

"Come in."

Stan and Gary walk into the mostly white and grey room, approaching Tweek when they see his laying figure on the bed horizontally adjacent to the window. Dr. Kero closes the door and saunters over to his rolling chair by the academy computer that's situated on a compacted desk beside the wall, a gap in between that and the steel blue cabinets with a bigger desk underneath them in front. "Classes may be over, but don't think about staying for too long," the brunette says sitting down in his seat, he devotes himself back to what he was doing previously on his computer.

Standing with their backs facing the window, the two boys gaze solemnly at their unconscious friend, his complexion that of a corpse and his breathing a little fast. Stan grits his teeth and curls his hands into fists, becoming even more angry at himself and Kyle. Gary eyes Tweek on the brink of tears, he's gone through so much in such a short time. The poor guy...

"Doc, what happened to him?" Stan asks even though he already knows, he just wants exact details.

Ceasing his typing, the old nurse rotates in his seat to look at them. "It's Doctor Kero," he says correcting the teen first. "As for the reason why your friend is like this, I haven't an answer for that I'm afraid. I was out cleaning one of the bed sheets earlier, but Kenneth was in here with him while I was out. If you want to know what exactly happened to him, ask Kenneth, he might be able to tell you." And with that, he turns back to his computer.

Not only does his response do nothing to alleviate Stan's and Gary's worries, but it also confirms Stan's suspicions. "Kyle really did do something to Tweek, that bastard."

Gary takes notice of his pissed off glare throughout the corner of his eye, and the next thing he knows Stan dashes towards the door, opens it and rushes out of the infirmary. "Wha-S-Stan?!" Gary calls out in shock, debating if he should follow after the noirette or not.

"Go on, before he ends up doing something he'll regret."

Gary tenses. Giving Tweek one last look, he runs after Stan.

During or after classes, there is one place students and teachers go to frequently over the other hang out spots this large building has. Whether it's for eating, a smoke break, socializing or skipping class, all of that is mostly done on the rooftop.

Standing in that very spacious section is a soaked teenager with golden blonde hair, his dazed hazel orbs blankly entranced by the dark grey clouds above near the ledge blocked by a low metal fence. Kenny has been up here for quite some time now, him and Kyle share a bedroom along with one other vampire, but he always keeps to himself so Kenny forgets that the guy is in there half the time. Kenny didn't want to go to his shared bedroom thus is the reason he's out here, wanting to be alone with his thoughts. He watches the many rain droplets pelt his face and drench his entire body unflinchingly. He knows he's going to get an ear full from the Principal if they cross paths about his uniform, Kyle too if he knew where the other is, but he still wouldn't care if either of them nags at him. He can always have a janitor dry his clothes for him.

The rainfall is really soothing on the ears, rather than listening indoors Kenny prefers to hear them with no obstructions-even if he has to stand out in the precipitation like he is right now to get a better hearing of either the rapid or steady pattering. He doesn't care if he falls sick, he's currently more worried about Kyle than himself. Kenny narrows his eyes. "Where the hell are you?" He wonders aloud, yearning to search every inch of the academy to find his best friend. But he doesn't know where to start, if he did he wouldn't be idling here. He tried using telepathy, but it didn't work. It's like Kyle had shut off his brain somehow, or he stopped thinking altogether.

A soft sigh leaves through Kenny's lips and he angles his head downward, gazing at the drab horizon. After a minute, he turns around, trudging back inside like a turtle.

Once the freezing temperature from outside alters by a small degree, Kenny halts before the stairs, tiny beads of water cascading down to the floor. Creating a puddle around his feet. He's still not ready to go to his shared bedroom, nor does he want anyone's company. Unfortunately, he's left with no other options aside from those two. The building may be big, but majority of the rooms are occupied as classrooms, offices, teachers lounges, and the students' bedrooms. Only the rooftop, two flower gardens, the courtyard...-

Kenny widens his eyes in realization, he descends the steps with quick caution. He has the strong urge to slap himself for noticing so late. There are approximately six areas in and out of the academy that vampires go to for seclusion or to relax and spend time with friends at, but Kyle only goes to two of them. He's either at one of the flower gardens or the courtyard.

"I'll check the courtyard first, and you better be there." Kenny leaps from off the last step, sprinting straight down the hall. Good thing no teacher or administrator is around to scold him like one did a few hours ago. He continues going straight then rounds a corner, suddenly crashing into someone. They both cry out and fall onto their backside.

One hisses in pain while the other groans. Kenny massages his jaw, mentally cursing at the individual he bumped into. He opens his eyes with a scowl once he's done soothing his stinging skin, about to berate the guy when the words get lodged in his throat at the sight of the familiar male.

"Stan?" Kenny questions, no longer mad. He rises onto his feet, nearing the black-haired human.

A palm on his forehead, Stan shakes his disoriented head hoping to clear the dizziness. He blinks his eyes open upon hearing footsteps, looking up to see Kenny, the vampire holding out a hand for him to take. Clasping his hand, Kenny pulls him up effortlessly. Thanking him as they let go, Stan then cocks a curious eyebrow. "How long have you been outside?"

"Ever since fourth period ended," Kenny answers nonchalantly, not at all ashamed about his drenched-self. "But what the hell were you doin' runnin' in the halls?"

His question puts a serious frown on Stan's face. "I was looking for you, I need to ask you something."

Thanks to his expression, Kenny knows instantly what Stan wants to ask him so he says it first. "You wanna know where Kyle is?"

"Yeah," Stan nods. "The nurse told me you were with Tweek at the time so you must've seen him do it."

Kenny quickly disregards the mental picture of the two additional bite marks on pale skin. Seems he's not the only one who suspects Kyle being the culprit, but he can't admit that to Stan. It's something he wants-no, has to find out for himself, by himself. "No, I didn't."

His short reply infuriates Stan. "Don't lie. I don't care if he's your best friend, he had no right hurting Tweek and you know it!"

Kenny heaves a tired sigh, not in the mood to argue. "Look, I know you're upset, but I honestly didn't see Kyle do anything to him. He was gone by the time I got there. I gotta go."

"Wait!" But Kenny's figure disappears, leaving behind a dark haze and a small pool of water where he once stood. "Tch, fuckin'..." Stan sighs exasperatedly. Kenny was definitely lying, protecting Kyle when he knew the redhead was in the wrong.

"Stan!" Said teen looks back to see Gary jogging up to him, slowing to a stop once the distance is lessened between them. He hunches over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "W-why'd y-you..." Gary first regulates his breathing, then straightens his posture. "Why'd you run out like that?" He's finally able to ask, frowning at the shadow over Stan's slanted eyes. The teen doesn't give him an answer, walking past him while shoving his hands inside his pockets, returning to their bedroom. Gary frowns at his back momentarily, following him once again.

Just like he'd hoped, Kenny finds Kyle sitting on one of the benches by the fountain in the courtyard. His damp frame is slumped against the wet seat, his chin pressed against his chest and his eyes half-lidded. Footsteps padding along saturated grass doesn't even rouse Kyle from his vacant stupor.

The squishing sounds stop when Kenny's figure looms over the redhead. "Kyle?" He utters softly, which makes the teen jolt like he'd just woken up from a nap. Slowly, as if the continuous flow of the rain is weighing down on his head, Kyle glances up at Kenny. Bleak lime-green eyes meeting relieved but concerned hazel ones.

"What is it?" Those three words left a dry taste in Kyle's mouth. He shouldn't have left the flower garden, his encounter with Kenny could've been avoided until a later time. He doesn't want to see him so soon.

Kenny's straight-lined lips curl into a frown, he sits down next to Kyle who looks ahead. "Why are you out here?"

"...No reason."

"Is it because of what you did that you wanted to cool your head?" That assumption earns Kenny a swift, sharp glare, which he gazes into calmly.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, you know what you did to Tweek."

With a flinch he could not suppress, Kyle looks away. "I did nothing to him," he mutters.

"Why'd you drink his blood?"

"..." "It wasn't me..."

"It wasn't you?" Kyle's breath hitches with a fright, feeling Kenny's eyes practically boring holes into the side of his head. "Kyle, what do you mean by that?" The redhead nips his bottom lip, refusing to explain. "You can tell me, you know I won't tell anyone else."

"You'll have to tell him about us sooner or later, so why not now?" Kyle grips at his sodden pants legs. "You know you want to." Luke is absolutely right, he so badly wants to confess everything about him and his twin to his childhood friend. But he can't. The fear of Kenny despising him, thinking he's just making up some farfetched excuse if he told him is holding him back, restraining him. He already made one mistake, he can't make another one. He can't lose Kenny after all these years over some secrecy...

Kyle stands up, but Kenny latches onto his wrist, preventing him from going anywhere. "Let go," Kyle demands, his voice void of energy.

"Just tell me," Kenny pleads getting up to face Kyle. The glum teenager's lips press firmly together as he averts his eyes to the ground, Kenny's face morphing into a frown of hurt. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do," Kyle answers robotically.

Kenny gently squeezes Kyle's thin wrist. "Then why won't you tell me?" He asks sounding desperate rather than frustrated.

A heavy silence settles over them that not even the downpour accompanied by a distant thunderclap can nullify the stiff atmosphere surrounding the two. Kyle looks back into Kenny's eyes, the blonde releasing a soundless gasp at the sorrowful gleam in his darkened lime-green irises. An acute twinge pierces Kenny's chest.

"Because I can't," Kyle whimpers, once again lowering his head so Kenny can't see the tears surfacing in his eyes. "I wanna tell you, but I...I'm scared to..." He shakes his head. "Please, let me go." Kenny's hand goes slack. Once freed, Kyle takes a step back from him, raising the arm Kenny held up to his chest. "I'm sorry," he hears the redhead say before the teen is gone from his view.

Kenny hangs his head, wet bangs of hair swaying over his conflicted eyes. He stands there with no intentions of moving from his spot, the strong pang in his heart immobilizing every limb on his body. The heartbreaking image of Kyle's face is embedded into his mind, it was a similar expression Kyle once made back when they were in elementary school. Kenny was able to comfort him then, but this time...it seems he can't.

"You said you trusted me...Why can't you admit to me what you did wrong...?" Kenny numbly wraps his arms around himself, his body racking with tremors.

(A/n: I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter will be up soon)